Friday, January 14, 2022

Okay, if the groundhog sees his shadow, that means only six more weeks of COVID, right?

 Look, I don't like repeating myself, as it makes for boring reading.  But shut-downs are happening due to the Omacron variant of COVID.  It's not a government mandate this time, but so many people are becoming sick or having to self-quarantine due to the virus that businesses don't have enough staff to stay open. 

As for the government response to this new wave of infections, don't expect much.  Well, other than partisan bickering and a new set of CDC guildelines that needed a massive rewrite (and that's being kind; it really needed to be burnt, the ashes scattered and everyone involved quarantined for a severe case of the stupids). 

Maybe if we don't see it, hear about it, or speak of it, it will just go away.

So now, businesses and performers are making the decision, and some are choosing to reschedule for later in the year.  Hell, even the county library system where I live has an aleret on the website that branches might have to shut down if too many staff members call out.  

So if you find a movie or stage performance that peaks your interest within this edition of the Weekly Update, please use the link and check the status of the venue before you go.  It's as updated as I could make it, but things can change in a matter of hours.

The same goes for the events on the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar.  Again, I'll do my best to keep things up-to-date, but play it safe and check for yourself.

Until next week, stay healthy, be safe, wear your mask and let's do everything we can to make sure we get and AMAZING Halloween this year!

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Playing This Week   
 
The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) will screen both dubbed and subtitled versions of the Japanese animated sci fi/fantasy film Belle through Thursday, January 20.  The movie will also play at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR), but only the subtitled version.
 

The Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA) will show the fantasy classic Kiki's Delivery Service, in both English dubbed and subtitled versions, through Wednesday, January 19. 
 
Less family friendly, but still a classic, the Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA) will show John Carpenter's The Thing through Tuesday, January 18.
 
The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) continues the Potter-verse with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, playing through Thursday, January 20.
 
The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) invites you to get mad with Mad Max, playing through Thursday, January 20.
 
The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) and McMenamins Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave in Portland, OR) will screen the Disney animated film Encanto through Thursday, January 20.

Get ready to Scream as the fifth film in the franchise opens at the Laurelhurst Theater and Pub (2735 East Burnside St in Portland, OR), the Broadway Metro (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR), the Granada 3 Theatre (1311 Adams Ave in La Grande, OR), The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA), the St Johns Twin Cinema (8704 N Lombard St in Portland, OR), Studio One Theaters (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR), the McMenamins Anderson School (18607 Bothell Way NE in Bothell, WA), McMenamins Bagdad (3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR), McMenamins Old St. Francis Theater (700 NW Bond St in Bend, OR), McMenamins Grand Lodge (3505 Pacific Ave in Forest Grove, OR) and McMenamins Power Station Theater at Edgefield (2126 SW Halsey St in Troutdale, OR) and the Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR).
 
 
Guillermo del Toro's latest film, Nightmare Alley, continues at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR) through Thursday, January 13.  It will continue at the Broadway Metro (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR), Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway NE in Salem, OR) the Liberty Theatre (315 NE 4th Ave in Camas, WA) and the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) through Thursday, January 20.

Marvel Studio's Eternals will play at McMenamins Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave in Portland, OR) through Thursday, January 20.
 
The Broadway Metro (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR) and the Academy Theatre (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) will continue to show the new version of Dune through Thursday, January 20.
 
Sure, you'll have no problem watching Spider-Man: No Way Home at some big corporate multiplex.  But why not support local and independent theaters, as the film continues at the Laurelhurst Theater and Pub (2735 East Burnside St in Portland, OR), the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR), St Johns Twin Cinema (8704 N Lombard St in Portland, OR), the Granada 3 Theatre (1311 Adams Ave in La Grande, OR), The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA), the Cameo Theatre (304 E 1st St in Newberg, OR) and Studio One Theaters (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR) through Thursday, January 20. CineMagic (2021 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR) will be showing the film until Thursday, January 27.
 
Woah!  The Matrix: Resurrections continues at Studio One Theaters (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR) through Thursday, January 20.
 
The Crypticon Seattle Horror Film Festival is taking submissions until March 8, 2022.  Northwest filmmakers can contact the con for a submissions waiver to avoid the fee.  Visit the link for all the details.
 
January, 2022

Friday, January 14

It's 2022, and you knew some theater would get around to showing the 70s sci fi film Soylent Green.  Catch it at 10:30 pm at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC).  And watch what you order at the snack bar.
 
Saturday, January 15

Horrific: A Night of Horror Themed Dance is back from the dead at Alma Mater's Fawcett Hall (1322 South Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) tonight at 8 pm (yes, the time has changed).  Advance tickets are recommended.  You must be 21 or older to attend.
 
UPDATE: This event has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 2 at 8 pm.  The event location will be the same.
 
Watch your favorite cartoon characters come to life as the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) brings Cartoon Cabaret to the stage tonight at 9 pm.  Advance tickets are recommended.  
 
Saturday Secret Matinees return to the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) with Daredevils of the Red Circle, featuring Charles Middleton (Ming the Merciless) as the villain in this 1939 serial, with a new chapter shown each week in GLORIOUS 16mm!  Of course, what's a serial without a feature, and each week, the episode will be paired with a secret feature film.  Bi-weekly themes will provide clues, but you have to show up to find out what's being shown!  The fun starts at 1 pm. 

UPDATE: Passes are sold out.  A few individual tickets will be available each week.
 
The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will show The Rocky Horror Picture Show tonight, with the Clinton Street Cabaret.  Doors open at 11 pm.  
 
Sunday, January 16
 
The Church of Film presents The Snow Woman, a kaidan (traditional Japanese ghost story) with a score by Akira Ifukube, at 7 pm tonight at the Red Fox (5128 N Albina Ave in Portland, OR).  This FREE screening will be in an outdoor, covered and heated area. 

Tuesday, January 18

The Repressed Cinema series at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen Roger Corman's 1960 horror/comedy classic Little Shop of Horrors in GLORIOUS 16mm at 7:30 pm tonight.

Wednesday, January 19

The Church of Film presents The Shadow and Its Shadow -- Nightmares of French Surrealism, a collection of works by French cinematic dreamers, at 8 pm tonight at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR).

Thursday, January 20

Head out on Pee Wee's Big Adventure, starting at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) tonight at 7:30 pm.  Yeah, it has Godzilla and Large Marge in it.  It belongs here.

The Geekenders present the world premiere of Kill The Ripper, a play about three women out to take down the infamous serial killer plaguing Whitechapel, at the Rio Theatre (1600 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC).  This dark comedy promises over-the-top fights, acrobatics and MORE!  The production runs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29.
 
UPDATE: This event has been cancelled.

The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) and Boy Harsher presents The Runner, a horror film intercut with a "meta-style documentary" about Harsher's recording process, tonight at 7 and 8 pm.
 
Friday, January 21
 
Friday Night Frights invites you for a ride on the Terror Train, starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Ben Johnson and David Copperfield as "The Magician."  Boarding time is 10 pm at The Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor St in Tacoma, WA).  ALL ABOARD!
 
The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will show the Jennifer Lopez "psychological" thriller (seriously, it's a horror film; am I right?) The Cell tonight at 11 pm.
 
John Carpenter and Dan O'Bannon's Dark Star will play at 7:30 pm at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR). 
 
Darmarth's Video Valhalla presents a double feature, Satanic Attraction and Blood Cult, at 9 pm tonight at Cryptatropa Bar (421 4th Ave E in Olympia, WA).

Woah!  The Matrix Resurrections will be shown from Friday, January 21, to Sunday, January 23, at The Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor St in Tacoma, WA).
 
Fan Expo Portland has been CANCELLED due to Covid-19 concerns.  The convention is planning to return on Friday, February 17, 2023.
 
The Cat Returns to the Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA), in English dubbed and subtitled versions, through Wednesday, January 26.  I don't know if The Cat was ever at Central Cinema, just couldn't resist the joke. 
 
You'll find even more Cats at the Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA), as with screenings of the universally panned musical in Hecklevision, through Wednesday, January 26. 

Saturday, January 22

The Whiteside Theatre (361 SW Madison Ave in Corvallis, OR) screens the Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro today at 3 pm.

Saturday Secret Matinees return to the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) with Daredevils of the Red Circle, featuring Charles Middleton (Ming the Merciless) as the villain in this 1939 serial, with a new chapter shown each week in GLORIOUS 16mm!  Of course, what's a serial without a feature, and each week, the episode will be paired with a secret feature film.  Bi-weekly themes will provide clues, but you have to show up to find out what's being shown!  The fun starts at 1 pm.
 
UPDATE: Passes are sold out.  A few individual tickets will be available each week. 
 
VHS Uber Alles Jan. 22 kicks off the New Year with a Cynthia Rothrock secret feature at 9:30 pm at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA).  The feature will be presented in GLORIOUS VHS!!

The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will presents a "Be It Yourself" screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show tonight.  Doors open at 11 pm.  
 
The Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA) will also present the film with the Denton Delinquents doing the Time Warp across the stage.